How strict are the height restrictions?

[clairabell29]

My DS3 has his heart set on going on Splash. With his Tennis shoes on he's
39 7/8" tall. He does have cowboy boots that make him 40 1/2". Would it be safe for him and would they let him on? Bare foot he's 39 5/8". Thanks so much!

 

[youmyflower]

well, we've gotten DD on rides because of high heeled sandals before so I can't imagine they're THAT strict. If the shoe makes the difference between being able to ride or not, and they've gotta realize that, I really have to wonder if 1/2" makes a difference. Ya know?

I mean I wouldn't compromise my child's safety, that's for sure. But if my kid walks up in tall shoes and the CM sees that, and approves them to go on...

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I think you just need to use some common sense. Also take into consideration that just because a child is tall enough, doesn't mean they are mature enough to ride. You need to evaluate that based on your child's individual personality and needs.

Here are a couple examples...

Space Mountain is extremely fast for a small child, and completely in the dark, with a few minor exceptions of special effects lighting. If your child doesn't like surprises or has issues with dark spaces, then maybe that might not be the best fit for them.

Big Thunder has a lap bar that only goes down as far as the biggest adults stomach. Beer bellies can make it not as safe and secure for little ones. You will need to hold on a bit extra.

If you have any doubts at all, say you are child swapping and go on it first. That way you can return later and do it with them if you deem appropriate.

 

[Dis-Ted]

I'd suggest asking yourself the reverse question... how certain are you that the height requirements aren't exact? Say you sneak your kid by the line and he isn't well restrained and goes flying out or just pops up and hits his head is that worth the ride?

I know it seems extreme but this is dead serious. Almost every major accident in theme parks is a result of "rider" error. In the case of Splash Mountain I believe the ride mostly relies on weight and size to keep people in their seats as opposed to elaborate restraints so whether or not a half inch matters isn't entirely clear but on that big drop I could imagine someone bouncing around far too much.

And assuming you're ok with the risks they are strict but not perfect. People will get by with tall shoes but I've seen motivated cast members have people take their shoes off too. Wearing a tennis shoe is the norm, wearing a 1 or 2 inch boot is a bit more obvious. I don't think they'd catch it every time or even half of the time but here and there someone will notice especially if your kid looks small.

 

[clairabell29]

He has no desire for any of those, JUST splash. We have watched everything online and that is the only one he says he wants to go on...and the only one I feel comfortable with him getting on. He LOVES the drops in POTC and for the last 6 months since we were there, all I've heard is how he wished the drops were bigger...lol Is it true that you can ride with him in the back seat? If so how small does the adult need to be? He's very small across...me not so much

 

[bumbershoot]

They'll be able to let you know if you two can fit in the back.

So...when are you going back? It's amazing, the healthy "growing" foods I can get into my kidlet with a certain ride as a goal. First he ate good foods to "get big for Star Tours*. Then he ate well to "get big for Grizzly" when he was about 1/2 inch too short (in shoes) for it. Got tall enough between May and December to do it without a question!




*here's a tale of how strict they are, when they are paying attention.

DS passed the first CM without a problem (the CM measured him and everything, didn't just wave him and DH by). They got to the *second* CM right before the boarding area, and that CM decided to measure him in detail.

That CM kind of pushed down on DS's head or shoulder while squeezing him under the stick (so DS got the impression that he was *supposed to be* UNDER the stick), then passed a piece of paper above DS's head. DS wasn't allowed to ride.

All the while, a family with a girl wearing heeled cowboy boots, when the girl looked about 2 (according to hubby) and was NOT even as tall as DS was, sauntered past and got on the ride.

So when they pay attention, they can be absolutely over the top strict.

Hubby still is angry at the girl's parents AND the CM for not seeing them go by with their too-small kid.



Give him growing foods to get big for Splash!

 

[bumbershoot]

And go on it FIRST THING. Our spines compress as the day goes on and gravity, along with other forces, work on the discs. So...first day, first ride will be the best time to ride, and practice standing up tall and NOT scrunching down, even if the CM is pushing on you downward.

 

[Dis-Ted]

The seats aren't big but most people manage to fit two to a section... Some don't, it depends on your body weight.

Regardless of what he likes I'm of the belief that pushing the rule is pushing your own luck. Splash is certainly feels like a less risky ride but a small kid is light, the drop is big and it really isn't made with physical restrains as much as basic physics using weight. Just my 2 cents thought.

If he's really small looking expect to be measured. Beyond that it's a matter of how much the cast member cares to look at his feet... some do, some don't. Busier often means less attention but that's not always true.

 

[clairabell29]

If he could grow 3/8" in 2 weeks that'd be great! LOL We leave on the 29th for 5 days As for growing foods this is not a problem. I think he's the only 3 year old on the planet that would rather have grilled Chicken and a salad rather then a burger and fries...lol Guess its the Weight Watchers and pregnancy diets I've been on since he started eating

 

[DizNee Luver]

We just got back & they will check your child not just once but twice before your child is allowed to ride. Our daughter (3) just made the 40" mark with regular tennis shoes on. She would get measured before being allowed into a line & then when you get near to the loading area, she would be measured again. So they are pretty strict about it, but I too have seen where what shoes a child has on has determined if they got on or not. I actually saw a little girl with platform shoes on (a good 2") with long bell bottom jeans on that covered the shoes & she floated thru..... probably not a safe judgement call on the parents.
In 2005, our son was measured for GRR & was fine in height & allowed to get in line, when we got to the 2nd measuring, he wasn't tall enough & was not allowed to ride. So sometimes I think the measuring poles are off at times.

Just remember rides that have a height requirement to hold on to your child. I didn't feel comfortable not holding on for dear life while we rode BTMRR & Space Mtn which ended up being her 2 favorite rides. I'd never let her ride it in the seat with out the death grip on her.

 

[bumbershoot]

The seats aren't big but most people manage to fit two to a section...

The very very back seat of Splash at DL (WDW is different) can allow two people; one adult and one child, basically. The other seats are just for one. One person, one back rest, one person, one back rest, etc etc until you get to the very very back seat.

 

[Disney Dreams]

To answer your question, they can be very strict. As stated above, they have to option to measure. If they do, they literally take a piece of paper and attempt to slide it between the top of the child's head and the measuring marker. If it fits, they don't ride.

As for placing a kid in higher heels...
This has been discussed MANY times on these boards. Are there tactics that you can use to make your child appear taller by the smallest fraction of an inch so they "measure up"? Sure. However, consider why the height restriction is there. It is not just random or place for the fun of it. It is there to keep your child safe. Placing high heels on does not protect a child when they are on a ride that they are technically too short to ride. A Disney visit can lead to a great lesson about patience in life - if by chance a child doesn't quite meet the required hheight to SAFELY ride. Why place a child in potential danger if they truly aren't tall enough? Just my opinion.

 

[mechurchlady]

To answer your question, they can be very strict. As stated above, they have to option to measure. If they do, they literally take a piece of paper and attempt to slide it between the top of the child's head and the measuring marker. If it fits, they don't ride.

As for placing a kid in higher heels...
This has been discussed MANY times on these boards. Are there tactics that you can use to make your child appear taller by the smallest fraction of an inch so they "measure up"? Sure. However, consider why the height restriction is there. It is not just random or place for the fun of it. It is there to keep your child safe. Placing high heels on does not protect a child when they are on a ride that they are technically too short to ride. A Disney visit can lead to a great lesson about patience in life - if by chance a child doesn't quite meet the required hheight to SAFELY ride. Why place a child in potential danger if they truly aren't tall enough? Just my opinion.

I agree with her. They have to do scientific testing of rides and have chosen that height for a reason. It is wrong to teach a kid to cheat instead of teaching them to have patience. Would a person let their underaged kid get a tattoo, drink or drive illegally? So it is ok to put lifts on a kid but wrong to let the kid drive the car illegally. The above quote is by one smart person and I agree with them.

 

[MoniqueU]

Before they got the new seats that seperate each passenger on Splash we took my DD then 2 or 3 on it in platform tennis shoes. Due to the water on the seat I think she slid forward and split her lip. She got a free sucker from Disney right off the concession cart which was nice. With the way the new seats are I would pack the boots in a backpack and put them on just before he goes to get in line. Even with our experience with the new seats I would feel ok with it I think. We did always do the matterhorn when they were really young too. My DH and I are big coaster fans and wanted to start them out early before they had a chance to be afraid.

 

[Brady's Mom]

In our experience the measuring sticks are definitely not accurate or all the same. For instance - our DS 4 wanted to ride GRR and Mulholland Madness in DCA which have the same height requirement (42). He measured just fine for GRR and was so excited to be able to ride it. We went over to MM right after and he was fully 1/2 inch too short for it. The CM could pass their hand right over the top of his head.

So I would check at the beginning of your trip and make sure he knows how to stand up really tall and then take a big breath when the CM measures (it adds a little height). Most kids I know are really accommodating and will scrunch down if that is what they think the CM wants. I don't think the difference between cowboy boots and tennies is that great - if he is comfy in the cowboy boots, let him wear them.

 

[DangerMouse]

I I don't think the difference between cowboy boots and tennies is that great - if he is comfy in the cowboy boots, let him wear them.

Or alternatively pack the boots in your backpack and just pull them out for that ride. My dd(7) put on some heeleys just to ride Screamin for her birthday on our last trip. She was about 1/8 of a an inch too short, so we helped her out a bit to get on the ride she was wanting to do most.

 

[Jperiod]

I'm always one for safey, but 39 7/8" doesn't get much closer! My son was just 40 & a hair when he rode it for the first time (under 3!). And I can't possibly see how 1/8 inch would be the difference between my son being safe and your son NOT being safe on that ride.

So use the boots for the one ride (they ARE strict) and pack them in the locker the rest of the day.

As for the weight and single rider, that was a bit scary for me as a mom the first time. But the heavier riders always sit in back, so I just leaned forward and hung on to him. He kept his hands on the rails inside. He was fine and it is his absolute most favorite ride (you should see the smile in that ride photo!). We rode it several times in a row. We ended up in the back seat once and that was great, but it wasn't a problem to be in the middle either.

 

[pixiewings71]

Splash Mtn logs only allow 1 person per seat, except in the very back. So sit in the back with him so you can hold on if you feel the need to. As for height, I'm sure he will make it by the time you go but if not IMO he's "close enough" to not worry about it much, his shoes will pop him up just a bit more and he'll be tall enough I'm sure. He will love it but really, sit in the back so you can hold him, if not for him then for me.....LOL I am afraid of heights/falling so when we first started doing Splash it was hard for me to let my youngest (6 at the time! LOL) sit on her own on Splash. LOL

 

[MommyWithDreams]

Why place a child in potential danger if they truly aren't tall enough? Just my opinion.

Amen to that! Enough said.

 

[bumbershoot]

We did always do the matterhorn when they were really young too.

FWIW Matterhorn's req is only 35".


And for anyone who missed the mentions, I'm going to third (or is it 2.5 b/c I'm the one that mentioned it first, LOL) the following:

If they do, they literally take a piece of paper and attempt to slide it between the top of the child's head and the measuring marker. If it fits, they don't ride.

A piece of paper. Seriously. Let your kids know that even if they ride something 5 times they might not the 6th time. They might not ride at all. Etc.

Now our experience with the slip of paper was good, b/c DS didn't know the ride yet and was OK. And now he WANTS to measure every single time. Even while doing Grizzly 5 times in a row, each and every time through he wanted to measure to SEE IF he was tall enough. Especially since I'm a chiro and KNOW that our spines get shorter with gravity and the forces of rides, it's so good that HE knows that one big jolt might cause him to not ride the next time, and he'd have to sit it out for a day (we all wake up taller b/c the sleep rests us and lets our discs expand again, assuming we can sleep lying down and not sitting up).

DS has a few pairs of shoes and there are indeed differences, noticeable ones even (since he measured every time we went on Grizzly we noticed it from the first to the second day when he was wearing different shoes), but, again, after our experience watching the cowboy booted girl get on, I really don't like it when people do it *on purpose*, by buying shoes that are taller *on purpose*.



and just in case anyone wonders...the year-old (or so) 60" minimum on the very front seat of Splash does seem to still be in existence. Though I'm not sure how taller people even get in there, they've padded it so much! I'm only 5'3" (aka 63"! whew) and it was cramped in there!